In 2014, the American Indian Library Association announced the recipients of their Youth Literature Awards – presented ever other year. These texts are particularly important as they provide opportunities to consider current and historical issues that are often portrayed through dominant perspectives.

As part of our professional commitment to provide access to information, librarians are charged to support the full range of users’ informational needs including those of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) people. That said, substantial discussions of issues related to library services for LGBTQ community members have not taken place atIFLA. The LGBTQ Users SIG will address this gap in professional knowledge by offering opportunities to engage in discussions about this often-invisible user group. This SIG will enable librarians to consider topics including professional attitudes, outreach, privacy, programming, and effective practice in acquiring and collecting materials of importance to LGBTQ people and allies. This includes literature, academic texts, materials for LGBTQ youth and families, and other works that encourage thinking critically about issues of sexuality and gender identity. Dialogue to support librarians in addressing concerns raised about LGBTQ library services will also be encouraged within the SIG.

Lucas McKeever and I will co-convene the first meeting of this group later this year at the World Library and Information Congress in Lyon, France. More details and the CFP are posted here on the IFLA website.